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Sunday, August 18, 2013

Spend a Day with Chickadoo Suz!

Well summer is almost 'officially' over around here (though no one's told the weather -whew it's been HOT) and some kids have already started back, so we spent last week trying to squeeze in a few more adventures and make a few more memories before the first bell rings.

Which led us out to Manvel with some friends for a visit with Chickadoo Suz, owner and operator of My Chicken Diaries, and you can read all about her and how she became 'Chickadoo Suz' by heading here!

Our adventure began with a greeting from Chickadoo Suz, who was dressed the part with her feathered headpiece and bedazzled boots! Before we could go any further, everyone was asked to scrub their shoes to help keep germs out of the chicken coop! Then we stepped into her garage-turned-classroom for an introduction to the rules on the farm - Safety, Respect, Choice and FUN! We also spent time in the classroom learning about chickens and where they come from.

Then we headed out to see for ourselves what My Chicken Diaries is all about!

Turns out Chickadoo Suz could be keeping diaries on more than just chickens, because there were geese, ducks, turkeys and guineas too! She's even got a donkey and a goat, though 'Billy' was making himself scarce during our visit.

We did get to meet Lenny though! In fact, ALL the animals on the farm have names and somehow Suz keeps track of them all!

Sheep and Snacks both (hesitantly) held a young chicken, but they really enjoyed visiting and holding the newborn chicks!

This little fella was only one day old - so new that he didn't even have a name until we came along - now he goes by 'Maverick' because he seemed to have an independent, adventurous spirit already . . . not unlike the the little fella holding him as well!

We we lucky enough to have some cloud cover that morning, but toward the end of the tour, things had started really heating up, so we stopped in a shady spot for a swing . . .

. . . and a chance to feed the chickens!

Suz has learned a lot about chickens since she moved out to Manvel and started My Chicken Diaries, and she was an expert at sharing her knowledge (and love) of the animals in an educational and entertaining way! The kids and I had lots of questions and she patiently answered every. single. one. {Smile} Accounting may have been her career, but teaching is definitely her vocation!

Then we headed back for some (bring your own) snacks and water before starting on a craft! Chickadoo Suz has a wall FULL of recycled materials and donated supplies for making bookmarks, headbands and your very own chicken. Sheep thought about a bookmark until Suz mentioned that everyone was welcome to make up a story about their very own chicken and tell it to the rest of the group. Well, that got my little storyteller's attention and soon everybody wanted to make chickens.

After all, it is a chicken farm!

I didn't get a picture of Sheep telling her story because I had switched to video (duh!) by then, but they were both wonderful and I was one proud mama hen!

Sheep was even able to earn a Girl Scout 'Egg-ceptional Observations' Patch for her visit to the farm. If you're interested in earning this patch for your scout or your troop, here's a link to the GSSJC requirements!

While we settled up, the kids relaxed in the shade on the swings.

Ahhh . . . Summer!

There is just no substitute for experiential learning in my opinion, and it seems to be in short supply in public school these days. So if you're looking for something fun and educational to do with your kids, your class or your troop, check out My Chicken Diaries and say hello to Chickadoo Suz.